After a 5 year struggle with anorexia (with purging tendencies), depression, self harm and over exercising I have now been recovered for 4 years and i use my blog to help others in the same situation i once was.
I am now a happy and positive person who wants to inspire those struggling to choose recovery and to take control over life and happiness again!

Life without Anorexia

My motto is 'Dont let the sadness of your past & the fear of your future ruin the happiness of your present'

My life at the moment is completely different to how it once was. I spent 5 years sick with anorexia nervosia and depression as well as struggling with self harm and overexercising. I spent 2 years in different treatment centres.

And since 2012 i have been declared healthy from my eating disorder.

I have been blogging for 7 years, and my whole journey is written in my posts. I now represent healthy and happiness. I want to show anyone struggling that it is possible to recover, no matter how hard it may seem.

I now blog about recovery, my life, veganism and positivity!

If you have any questions leave them in the comment section as i am much quicker at answering there, otherwise you can always send an email: lifewithoutanorexia@hotmail.com

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Saturday, November 15, 2014

How to stay motivated when you are depressed

hey izzy, this is a great post, and i'm afraid i'm in need of some help.lately my depression has been progressively getting worse, and i have no energy (cant even brush my hair in the morning from tiredness) or motivation to do things. life just seems to be pointless and i'm tired of it all. is there any tips youd recommend to make myself get more motivation?

When you are depressed its easy for life to feel to overwhelming, you have no motivation to get up in the morning. All you want to do is sleep, stay in bed all day. And maybe for a day or two that is exactly what you need, but in the end you cant sleep away your life and hiding under the duvet wont make your problems go away. Especially not when they are in your head.
The most important thing is that everyday you GET up and leave bed and preferably do something... not just go lie in the coach.
But instead decide that every morning you are going to wake up preferably between 8-10am (depending on if you are at work or school). And you are going to drink a glass of water... you are also going to try take a shower if you have time. Focus on those 2 things and also getting some breakfast into you. Those 3 things can be your main focus everyday for a week. Just getting out of bed and getting dressed. The next week focus on getting some sunshine.Getting out of the house or calling a friend/family. Drink plenty of water as well. Focus on those things as well as the others. Then slowly add in other things like going to the shop, meeting a friend, starting a new hobby, getting 7-9 hours sleep each night. Making a delicious meal for yourself.

When you are depressed PLEASE talk to somebody, Dont suffer in silence and alone, reach out for help. Try not to be alone too much either and staying in bed and isolating yourself wont help either.

Eat NUTRIOUS food, when you are depressed it can be easy to reach for the chocolate and crisps, and in moderation thats fine. But when you suffer from something like depression eating food like oatmeal, dark cacao/chocolate, walnuts, avocado, salmon, nuts are all good to eat.

Also drinking lots of water.

When you feel you have energy for it, also try to make a vision board or a mindmap of what you want to do with your life. Things you enjoy doing, things you want to do, things that make you feel happy.

Also try exercising, this can REALLY help. I know from experience and also getting D vitamin. So if you are able to go for a 20 minute walk when the sun is out, (or if its in winter - go when its daylight), then you get both D vitamin and exercise which should help. Find good music you can listen to and find podcasts. Listening to podcasts or radios can make you feel less lonely and can lighten your mood.

Also try do something you enjoy... maybe bake/write/dance/sing/workout/go for coffee/do yoga etc etc do old hobbies which you liked before. Dont just say no and that it wont make you feel better, instead give it a try.

Try to find your happiness, because happiness wont just come like a miracle, its something you have to find and create for yourself!

Also if you can try to eliminate stress in your life... take a break from school or work. This can have the opposite effect though as it makes you feel more lonely and de motivatedc and you never leave your bed. But if the stress is making you feel bad and you feel bad because you cant study or get your work done, that wont help you either. So make a decision that will help YOU.

Either print/get someone to make them for you/or make thems yourself - small sticky notes/notes which you can place on doors, on mirrors and around the house to help make you feel and think more positive.

Meditation and yoga are also very helpful!!

Make a list of 3 things you are going to achieve each day, even if its just to brush your hair, make yourself a cup of tea and to draw a picture of a flower or a sun. Those 3 thigns are big things and achievements when you are depressed. And later on your goals can be to leave the house, go for coffee/tea and to make sure to smile 3 times in a day. etc

But most important ASK FOR HELP. Talking to someone, having someone show that they care and listen to you is helpful!!!

I've been struggling with the same problem for quite a few months now and have had days where I just can't get myself to even leave my room so I can totally relate and this post is quite helpful. What I have found personally helped was to, like Izzy said, start doing minor things and slowly trying to do more. I've also started taking some B-vitamin and zinc supplements, both of which are very good for depression and I've noticed it has made some difference in my energy levels and mood. Trying to focus on things I want out of the future and can hope for and look forward to gives that bit of a push that makes me get up and try doing more things. Also, it is important to know when you need help in the form of medications or psychologists, doing small things can help, but if you're struggling to function on a daily basis and there's no reason physically health wise that may be causing your depression, then a low dose of an antidepressant can make a tremendous difference.

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About Me

Hello :)
I have had Anorexia and depression for c.a 5 years and been in and out of hospital for 2 years. But now im living my life like a normal teenager, I still have my ups and downs now and again, but i still stay positive and never give up.
In my blog i write about my daily life, and my opinions and views on certain things and i bring up topics and information that i think needs to be passed on!!
Leave a comment - love reading comments from people :)
If anyone wants to get in contact with me.
Mail me here --> lifewithoutanorexia@hotmail.com